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NE Region SARE Position




		Northeast Region SARE Program Manager
		    (Post-Doctoral Assistant)

To be filled as soon as possible, but no later than January 1997.

	This full-time temporary POST-DOCTORAL position is 75% time in 
support of the Northeast Region "USDA-SARE" Sustainable Agriculture 
Research and Education Program and a 25% research appointment in the area 
of soil fertility and chemistry. The support portion involves management, 
oversight for SARE, the EPA-USDA "ACE" agricultural in concert with the 
environment program, and, a USDA-Extension Service "Subtitle B--Section 
1629" sustainable agriculture training program. These grants programs are 
awarded annually, but are anticipated to continue for 5 years. The 
Regional Coordinator (Administrator), Dr. Frederick R. Magdoff, reports 
directly to the USDA-CSREES in Washington, DC and to the NE Regional 
USDA-SARE Administrative Council.

	The support portion of the position has been defined as a 
temporary (professional-level) Post-Doctoral Assistant due to the 
significant scientific expertise that is required for project contract 
establishment, project monitoring/oversight, project report analysis, 
project profile analysis, and project invoice analysis. The position has 
clerical demands but requires additional scientific expertise, not 
required of classified Program Manager positions. In addition, it 
requires significant amounts of travel to adequately monitor the 
Northeast Regional SARE program grants and the abilities to make 
scientific observations and analyses while at remote locations.

Main Responsibilities:
	
SARE Portion
	Oversee and manage the contracts and grants awarded by the Northeast
Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (USDA-SARE)
program; and, supports Dr. Frederick R. Magdoff, Regional Coordinator
(Administrator) of the program in his efforts. Assist, wherever possible, 
Dr. Magdoff, who serves as the principal Sustainable Agriculture liaison 
with Federal USDA agencies and the Directors of the Experiment Stations 
and Cooperative Extension Services in the 12 Northeast States and 
Washington D.C. Reports directly to the Regional Coordinator 
(Administrator) for all job functions and assignments.
	40% - Oversight of contracting, invoice processing, and general 
fiscal matters of the contracts and grants awarded by the Northeast 
Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (USDA-SARE) 
program. The successful applicant must integrate sustainable agriculture 
experience, scientific expertise, and statistical rigor when supervising 
contracting-with or payments-to awardees.
	Coordinate, under the direction and approval of the Regional 
Coordinator, the preparation/administration of calls for proposals, 
proposal reviews, and initial contracts for USDA-SARE/ACE projects.  
Serve as liaison to the UVM Contracts and Grants offices for the final 
preparations of contracts and subcontracts for the USDA-SARE/ACE program.
	Provide a secondary response, as needed, to questions about the 
USDA-SARE and ACE programs. Interact with state and federal 
representatives and staffs throughout the Northeast Region, referring 
appropriate policy questions and problems to the Regional Coordinator. 
Monitor program compliance with National and Regional guidelines, 
referring questions to the Coordinator (Administrator), as appropriate. 
Endeavors to anticipate problems and changes in order to provide timely 
and appropriate responses.  
	Assure timely reporting by principal investigators on contract 
projects.  Monitor all projects to ensure that reporting has been done, 
prior to final payments.
	Must work cooperatively with the Regional Coordinator 
(Administrator), the Administrator's Assistant, and the NE Region 
Communications Specialist at this site.
	Visit selected project sites, provide assistance with problems if 
needed, provide feedback regarding direction and progress of projects.

	20% -  Review USDA-SARE/ACE proposals for content, identifies 
disciplinary emphases, and assigns appropriate reviewers -- taking care 
to avoid conflicts of interest. Also assure that proposals conform to 
general guidelines for the USDA-SARE/ACE USDA National Program, Regional 
Administrative Council Criteria for evaluations, deadlines, format, etc.
	Develop administrative, management, and organizational plans for 
granting awards and project agreements for consideration by the Regional 
Coordinator (Administrator); and, when established, be responsible for 
implementation. Along with the Regional Coordinator (Administrator),
implement the recommendations of the Administrative Council and Technical 
Review Panel. Aid in the development of operating guidelines.

	10% - Assist the Coordinator (Administrator) and Administrator's 
Assistant in the preparation of Plans of Work and amendments for 
submission to USDA-CSREES based on recommendations of the Administrative 
Council.     
     	Responsibilities also include assisting the Regional Coordinator 
(Administrator) in assuring that all invoices, purchases, travel and 
general expenditures are controlled within Federal guidelines.
   	Work closely with the UVM Office of Sponsored Program and the 
Office of Grants and Contracts in developing language for USDA-SARE/ACE 
contracts and subcontracts, amendments that affect contracts (such as 
requests for extensions and budget revisions), and other related issues.

	5% - Conduct analytical research and needs assessments to provide 
general and technical information needed by the administrative council 
for decision-making and planning purposes. Analyzes regional and project 
objectives, goals and expenditures. In cooperation with the Regional 
Coordinator (Administrator)  and the Administrative Council, recommends 
ways to improve the program and its associated record-keeping.
	Serve as an ex-officio member of the Northeast Regional USDA-SARE 
Administrative Council.  

	5% - Assist with functions of the Northeast SARE office 
operations. Must not feel that repetitive or menial tasks cannot be 
performed, when they are urgent.

Research Portion
	25% - Carry out field and/or laboratory research in coordination 
with research interests and projects of Dr. Frederick R. Magdoff. These 
include, general soil fertility (N and P availability and dynamics), use 
of biologically-based fertility sources, and soil organic matter 
dynamics. Other areas of research are possible.

Qualifications Needed:
     	THIS IS A POST-DOCTORAL POSITION.  A demonstrated ability in the 
development of and oversight of statistically-correct scientific 
experiments is required. An earned doctorate or equivalent experience in 
the area of soil fertility or integrated farming systems research with 
interest in soil fertility and knowledge of field plot research is 
required. A production agriculture background is highly desirable but not 
required. Knowledge of the current USDA-SARE/ACE programs and policies is 
preferred. Applicants with more experience in sustainable agriculture 
systems will be given preference. Applicants with exceptional experience 
or graduate degrees in sustainable agriculture will be given preference 
to those possessing lesser experience.
     	Working knowledge of IBM-based microcomputer systems and software 
is required.  Knowledge of common spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel, Quattro, 
Lotus-1-2-3, etc.) and database systems (Microsoft Access, dBASE-II, 
FoxPro, etc.) is required. Some knowledge of Mac-systems is desirable.
     	Successful applicants must exhibit a high-degree of 
professionalism, professional decorum, and professional appearance, 
because interactions at the highest levels of the USDA, EPA, and 
associated agencies and clientele will occur in Washington, DC, and 
elsewhere. In addition, professional competent phone and e-mail skills 
are required. This is a high-visibility and highly public-interactive 
position.
     This position will include technical writing (Calls for proposals, 
suggested revisions to grants, and revisions to contracted plans of 
work). Evidence of adequate writing skills and cognitive abilities will 
be required.  

Compensation:
	Approximately $22,000 to $27,000, depending on background and 
experience of applicant, along with the excellent, comprehensive UVM 
benefits package;  and, is also dependent on continuing grant funds.

	Please send a letter outlining your interests, a current CV, and 
the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three references to:
		Dr. Frederick R. Magdoff
		NE Region SARE Program
		Hills Building
		University of Vermont
		Burlington, Vermont 05405
		tel: 802-656-0472
		email: fmagdoff@moose.uvm.edu

******************************************************************************* 
				Fred Magdoff 
			Northeast Region SARE Program
				Hills Building
			    University of Vermont
			    Burlington, VT 05405
			       tel:802-656-0472
			       fax:802-656-4656
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